Coronavirus-Related Opportunities for Promoting Occupational Health and Safety

Gudi and Tiwari (1) have recently outlined the challenges of the current SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic, suggesting that it is “forcing the entireworld to lockdown” (p.108). Yes, there are ‘stay at home’ policies to protect populations; however, many employees must continue to work during the coronavirus pandemic (2). Many jobs cannot be shut down, particularly for those who work at the hospitals, the care sectors, utility companies, and food transportation. Important manufacturing industries continue to operate, many of which, in addition to coronavirus, pose risks that still need to be managed. It is understandable that the governments have made a determined effort to support people with Covid-19 and those who attempt to treat them; nevertheless, it is also the case that other work is necessary, and the business of risk assessment in those industries is important. There have always been harmful occupational factors in the workplace, such as noise, dust, vapors, and chemicals. Therefore, we suggest that coronavirus should be seen as another harmful factor that can enablework if controlled. For those inworknow, and those who must return to work soon, we must seek a preventative and control solution for the virus. This is a real priority because the economic sequelae of the lockdown are now inflicting intolerable and irrecoverable harm (3), indicating the need for resuming various industries before the coronavirus is controlled.